Backflip Creates Uncertainty for Muckaty Traditional Owners

Less than six months after celebrating the decision to not dump nuclear waste at Muckaty in central Australia, the Northern Land Council has reneged on its commitment.

After a long campaign by traditional owners, unions and progressive organisations across the country, the Northern Land Council abandoned its plans to offer land for a national radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, 120km north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

But last week the NLC proposed another site on Muckaty land to the Liberal Government’s Minister for Industry, Ian McFarlane, who has opened up a tender process for the waste site.

Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray has spearheaded the MUA’s opposition to the radioactive waste dump and said he was outraged that the NLC would ignore the will of the traditional owners of the area.

“It was such a relief to hear that after seven years of campaigning the NLC and the Government had come to their senses and that Muckaty was the wrong site to dispose of radioactive waste,” Bray said.

“Now we’re pretty much back to square one but don’t let that make you think we’re not going to continue our opposition to the dump.

“I retain optimism, as those involved in the campaign are staunch, strong and committed to having a say as to what happens on the land they own.

Minister McFarlane’s office is receiving submissions against the proposal.